Predict the NSFC Awards

Tomorrow my personal favorite precursor body, the National Society of Film Critics, will announce their 2009 winners.

Regular awards-watchers will know that the NSFC is generally the most highbrow of the critics’ groups, as well as the most independent-minded — last year, they went wholly against the Oscar grain, giving Best Picture to “Waltz With Bashir” and four major awards to “Happy-Go-Lucky.” They can, however, be ahead of the curve when it comes to late-breaking Oscar heavies — think “The Pianist” or “Million Dollar Baby.”

This year, however, I’m guessing they’ll stick to the status quo: with such modest box-office, it seems critics want to give “The Hurt Locker” all the help it can get in the race. With that in mind, Kathryn Bigelow’s film could become the first to sweep the big three critics’ prizes since “L.A. Confidential” in 1997.

24 responses so far

Oh, how would I love it if Edith Scob won at least one thing this year. She was so brilliant in that film; way more canny and intelligent than so many other older actresses would have played it. I can only imagine that a potential (gurk) English remake would cast somebody like Joan Plowright in it and they would dodder around for half an hour.

I think The White Ribbon might make a clean sweep of the cinematography with the Top critics if it wins here. They’ll definitely like The White Ribbon. I just want Summer Hours to atleast win 1 Best Picture and it could only happen here. But more Hurt Locker love would be great as well. In Best Actor Bridges & Clooney have 1 each from the other 2, so maybe Firth or Renner could take one here.

“Waltz with Bashir” one of the slowest films ever? What are the kinds of films you usually watch!?! Jesus. I can hardly think of a more absorbing fusion of aesthetic and substance, every frame a piece of art, stunningly animated.

While I don’t quite share the reservations of Pablo, I’m inclined to disagree with you (Speaking English) on Waltz’s merits. I’ve watched it a good three times and found it to be highly atmospheric, very well crafted and stunningly animated as you say but ultimately, a tad hollow and confused about its message and tone.

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Best Actor: Viggo Mortensen, The Road
Best Actress: Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire
Best Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Best Foreign Language Film: Summer Hours
Best Non-Fiction Film: Mugabe and the White African
Best Cinematography: Greig Fraser, Bright Star

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix, Two Lovers
Best Actress: Gabby Sidibe, Precious
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Best Supporting Actress: Julianne Moore, A Single Man
Best Screenplay: A Single Man
Best Cinematography: The White Ribbon
Best Non-Fiction Film: The Cove
Best Foreign Film: The White Ribbon

why can’t your predictions be the eventual Oscar winners too? seriously, this will be the year that everyone remembers when Tilda Swinton was robbed and all of the best actress performances will never live up to.